There’s a truism that if our starting entry is in error, all that follows is already affected by that original error. For instance, turning into a wrong road or adding a series of numbers.

Most corporate churches of God and other groups follow the modern Hebrew Calendar (a.k.a. The Calculated Rabbinical Calendar) to determine when to observe God’s Holy Days. But did you know that the present Hebrew Calendar is ignorant as to WHEN and WHERE to accurately and authoritatively anchor the START of each 19-Year Time Cycle in relation to earth’s position with the sun and moon in their respective orbits?

Let us remember that God (YHWH) decreed in Genesis 1:14 that the heavenly bodies (sun and moon) should dictate and be the basis for all our reckoning of time:

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons (moed, divine appointments), and for days and years…”~Genesis 1:14, NKJV

Basis of the Hebrew Calendar 19-Year Time Cycle

Sadly, the modern Hebrew Calendar ignores the most important and the biggest element of time reckoning, which is the 19-Year Time Cycle — apart from not knowing exactly when a Sacred Year should properly begin. Rather, the Hebrew Calendar reckoning is based chronologically on the supposition of Yose ben Halafta (from his “Seder Olam Rabbah” calculations) that the first humans were created in 3761 B.C.

This calculation is believed to have just been produced about 160 C.E. From that supposed beginning, the 19-Year Time Cycle was pegged. Thus, the Hebrew Calendar has no astronomical, scientific, or biblical basis at all when it comes to the exact start of the 19-Year Cycle. In fact, it does not have a definition as to where and on what event to start counting the 19-Year Time Cycle.

Attempts to Explain the Basis of the Hebrew Calendar’s 19-Year Time Cycle

One attempt to declare when the Hebrew Calendar should start its 19-Year Time Cycle is the article titled: Rosh Hashana 5777 – The Beginning of a New 19-Year Cycle, published on September 29, 2016, by Rabbi Dovid Heber. That Hebrew Calendar year 5777 is equivalent to the Roman Year, 2016-2017. But the most important question is: What is that strong irrefutable and undeniable basis for making that particular year the beginning of the count?

What is the Result of Such Innocent Ignorance?

This ignorance has led to the obviously wrong synchronization of the Hebrew Calendar with the actual weather patterns (most pronounced for this year 2018). It had a direct, palpable effect when a 13th month should have been added into the 19-year time cycle this year, but which was not, believing we are just into the second year of the 19-Year Hebrew Calendar Cycle.

PROOFS THAT THE PRESENT HEBREW CALENDAR IS IN ERROR:

Nature is out of sync with the declared season of the present Hebrew Calendar

For this Calendar Year of 2018, the Hebrew Calendar declared that the New Moon of March 17 (which came before the Spring Equinox) was the Official Start of the New Sacred Calendar Year. This officially declared beginning is supposed to have started the Spring Season (named Abib or Aviv in the Hebrew Calendar, which means “green leaves” or new green buds). Surprisingly, and contrary to expectations, the winter season (in the temperate zone of the earth’s Northern Hemisphere) relentlessly prevailed in spite of the Springtime declaration. It appears that nature is NOT obeying the erroneous declaration of fallible man! Since nature and the heavens cannot go wrong, the only conclusion is that man’s reckoning is sadly proved to be wrong!

Those of you living in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere of this earth are all first-hand witnesses to the fact that the declared Spring season this year is clearly not in sync with the Calendar reckoning date. Most have experienced or heard/read/seen news of snow and even snowstorms in many places (clear signs of winter) as of March 17 onwards even until early April. Some weather reports even said that this year (2018) was the coldest Easter season in years (Easter was declared to be April 1). Thus, the weather likewise confirms that the Calendar reckoning this year is wrong.

This Affects a Commanded Religious Observance

No Ripe Grain Available for the Traditional Wave Sheaf Offering

There is a Hebrew tradition (based on the command in Leviticus 23:10-15) to present a wave-sheaf offering of ripe cereal (barley is usually chosen as the earliest maturing crop after winter). Sadly, for this year 2018, there is hardly any ripe or mature barley for offering on that Sunday of April 1. Normally, after this ritual offering, farmers can then begin harvesting their mature crops. But this year, sadly, there is hardly any mature or ripe cereal crop to harvest yet. This again tells us that our Calendar reckoning is wrong.

HOW DID THIS HEBREW CALENDAR KNOWLEDGE GET LOST?

Our article, The Disturbing Corruptions of the Hebrew Calendar, details how the Sacred Calendar existed from man’s creation. It was known and passed on by Noah, was known and passed on by Moses, and was known until the Babylonian captivities, and after that.

During the time of Christ (Yahshua) on earth, there was no problem with what was later called the Hebrew Calendar then. There is no recorded negative comment on it in the Apostolic Writings (N.T.). But much has happened in the past 2,000 years, which also affected the present Hebrew Calendar reckoning. Now, let us simplify and summarize the major things that happened.

How the Calendar Knowledge was Preserved Even After the Babylonian Captivities

Even after the Babylonian captivity, the priestly line of Zadok (who were gifted by God in the specially revealed knowledge of astronomy and mathematics) continued in their appointed role. They were the ordained custodians of the Hebrew Calendar among the priesthood.

Zadok in Hebrew means “righteous,” partly because he was loyal to King David’s decree during the contested succession to the throne by Adonijah versus Solomon (1 Kings 1:7-8). Having been tried and tested, YHWH appointed Zadok’s family in this special role (Ezekiel 44:15-16).

Concerning the Calendar Role of Zadok and his sons, the Scriptures clearly tell us:

And in a dispute they shall take their stand to judge; they shall judge it according to My ordinances. They shall also keep My laws and My statutes in all My APPOINTED FEASTS and sanctify My sabbaths.~Ezekiel 44:24, NAS

The Zadok line of priests occupied this role until 171 B.C. when Antiochus IV (of the Seleucid Empire) transferred it to Menelaus. But even after that forceful takeover (which also led to the Maccabean Revolt), the Zadokite priesthood continued to preside over the Jewish temple at Leontopolis in Egypt. Later, Emperor Vespasian finally closed it soon after A.D. 70 (The New Bible Dictionary, edited by J.D. Douglas, Eerdmans Publishing Company, pp. 1352-1353).

According to Jewish tradition, Antiochus IV ruled the Jews from 175 to 164 B.C., after which remnants of the Zadokite priesthood continued their calendar role, sitting in the Sanhedrin as part of the sect of the Sadducees. Some authorities believe that the Sadducees trace their origins from the descendants of Zadok.

PROOF THAT THE SACRED CALENDAR KNOWLEDGE IS A DIRECT DIVINE REVELATION FROM GOD HIMSELF

Since God obviously used Zadok and his generation of sons to be the custodians of the Sacred Calendar, He had to reveal to them revised and updated special calculations which can only come from Him. These new calculations existed even after the Babylonian captivities — long after Joshua’s long day of battle when the sun and moon stood still (Joshua 10:12-14) and when the sundial shadow went back 10 degrees in the days of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:8-11) — God updated the sons of Zadok concerning the revised exact length of the month.

We get this evidence from the book, The Essence of the Holy Days: Insights From Jewish Sages by Avraham Yaakov Finkel, published November 1, 1993, where we read the following statements:

The calculation of the calendar was transmitted to the sages [descendants of Zadok]… According to the ancient calculations, the exact time between one new moon and the next is [exactly] 29 days, 12 hours, and 793 chalakim [parts of an hour].

A similar reference is also found in Technical Appendix A (Details of the New Moon) in the book titled: Cracking the Bible Code, written by Jeffrey Satinover, M.D., page 272.

(NOTE: Please remember that from the creation of Adam until the days of Noah, each month was 30 days long, and the year was 360 days long.)

In the Hebrew reckoning, an hour is divided into 1080 parts. Translated into a decimal figure, one lunar month has 29.53059 days. Now, this figure becomes very interesting when we compare it with our NASA data. According to NASA, the time between one new moon and the next one is 29.530588 days in decimal figure. You would notice that the difference is only .000002 or two-millionths part of a day! And NASA uses the most advanced and sophisticated computers and telescopes today! This degree of greataccuracyis obviously impossible for humans alone to calculate. The only explanation is that God Himself has revealed this special knowledge or information to those He chose to reveal it to!

Influence and Leadership of Hillel the Elder (not to be confused with Hillel II)

Another notable personality starting before the first century was a learned man named Hillel the Elder. He was reputed to have somehow helped keep the Hebrew Calendar from corruptions. In fact, he established the noted school called House of Hillel, in contrast to the House of Shammai.

As a side note, he is believed to be the grandfather of Gamaliel, who later became the apostle Paul’s mentor (Acts 22:3). Thus, we can’t read any negative comments about the Hebrew Calendar in the time of Christ, and even during the time of the apostle Paul. (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7698-hillel)

Calendar Problems Developed When the Pharisees Took Control of the Sanhedrin

There has been a long-standing competition between the Sadducees and Pharisees, whereby eventually the Pharisees dominated the Sanhedrin and ousted all of the Sadducees. To know more about the Pharisees, please read this Wikipedia article, and also this entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Without the specialized calendar knowledge on astronomy and mathematics, problems developed. Even as evident today, the Pharisees were not aware of exactly WHEN to start the Sacred Year. All they knew and watched for was the Spring Equinox, which is just partial knowledge. While they knew about a 19-Year Time Cycle, they did not know when and where to anchor it. To hide their lack of knowledge on the deep technical details, they simply declared that the calendar calculations were a “secret,” so they did not have to explain what they did not fully know and understand.

Effects of the Diaspora and the Dark Ages

What factors contributed to the loss of important detailed knowledge concerning the Hebrew Calendar? In brief, here are the major factors:

The dispersion of the Jews (diaspora) after 70 A.D.

The reign of Emperor Hadrian and successive cruel Roman Emperors with the great persecutions and martyrdom

The killing of the sages and scholars

The massive suppression of knowledge

The burning of religious books during the Dark Ages

Hillel II’s Attempt to Restructure the Hebrew Calendar

Hillel II’s attempt to unify the vastly scattered Jews in observing the Festivals of God by publishing the rules of the Hebrew Calendar in A.D. 358/359 was part of the solution. But he not only lacked the precise knowledge of astronomy and mathematics specially revealed to Zadok and his sons, but he also included the Rules of Postponement for the convenience of the people.

Maimonides’ Attempt to Help Stabilize the Existing Confusion

About 900 years after Hillel II’s restructuring of the Hebrew Calendar, Maimonides came along, likewise lacking the special knowledge revealed to Zadok and his sons. He simply elaborated on the past work of Hillel II by the 1200s (A.D.). Due to lack of some of the original knowledge, he also retained the Postponement Rules as being wise and convenient (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). That same Hebrew Calendar version is what the Jews and the corporate churches of God are following today.

RESTORING THE CORRECT CALENDAR KNOWLEDGE AT THIS END TIME

The Book of Daniel prophesied that in the last days, “Knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4). What are the tools available to us today which fulfills this prophetic pronouncement?

The great fund of knowledge available through today’s Internet technology (especially the search engine Google).

Advanced biblical knowledge and scholarship which is also available on the Internet.

Availability of modern scientific tools of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, founded only in July 1958) and USNO (United States Naval Observatory) — both of which are equipped with powerful telescopes, coupled with computer programs that can store data and perform various simulations, plus the help of dozens of satellites for various scientific applications.

Many Have Long Recognized the Phenomenon of the 19-Year Time Cycle, including Herbert W. Armstrong

Apart from the earlier work of the Greek astronomer Meton, most notable among Church of God people were the published works of the late Herbert W. Armstrong. Among his writings was a 1940 article, How to Figure Passover. He wrote:

These facts prove there had to be an intercalary, or 13th, month ADDED … SEVEN TIMES in each 19 years. God had set the sun, the earth, and the moon in motion so that once every 19 years the sun and moon come into conjunction. That is, once in 19 years there will be a new moon on March 21st… God’s great time cycle, written in the heavens…~Herbert W. Armstrong, How to Figure Passover (1940)

While in theory, he knows this as a fact, he could not have possibly known exactlywhen this supposed alignment will happen in the 19-Year Time Cycle (because NASA data was not yet available then). But now, we know!

Please read on to know precisely when this fact really happens.

REVIEW OF SOME BIBLICAL DEFINITIONS OF UNITS OF TIME

A DAY is defined by God as starting and ending at sunset (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31; Leviticus 23:32).

A WEEK is defined by God as an unbroken cycle of seven days starting at Creation with the first day of the week (now called Sunday) and ending with the sunset after the seventh day Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3). Since days begin at sunset, the Sabbath starts at sunset on the sixth day of the week (Friday) and ends at sunset of the seventh day of the week (Saturday).

A MONTH is derived from the word for “moon.” The old month ends, and a new month begins, at sunset on the day after the astronomical new moon (conjunction). Isaiah 66:23 defines both the weekly and the monthly cycles which will be restored in the future.

A YEAR in the Sacred Calendar starts and ends at the first new moon day on or after the Spring Equinox (March 20/21) in the Northern Hemisphere. The first full month after the Spring Equinox was named by God as “Abib” or “Aviv” which literally means “green ears,” when most vegetation begins to sprout new leaves (Exodus 12:2; 13:4).

THE 19-YEAR TIME CYCLE

This is also known as the Metonic Cycle, a feature found in the Hebrew (Luni-solar) Calendar. Confirmed by astronomers through observation and mathematical computation, this is a phenomenon where the earth, moon, and sun come into alignment exactly every 19 years. There is a difference of about 11 days between 12 lunar revolutions around the earth (29.53 x 12 = 354 days) and a solar year (365.25 days). For the earth to make a complete revolution around the sun, an intercalary month (or a thirteenth month) is added seven times during a 19-year time cycle, so that everything returns to its original position.

FINDING THE CORRECT START OF THE 19-YEAR TIME CYCLE

In God’s Calendar system, there is always a starting point (whether for a day, week, month, or year). In this case, we also need to know the correct starting point for the 19-Year Time cycle.

While this knowledge has been lost, happily, the correct starting point has been identified. Following Genesis 1:14, the heavenly bodies (sun and moon) dictate to us when.

The starting point should be defined by at least two major events which should all happen at the same time, and both of these two events happen only once in every 19 years. These two significant events are:

On the exact Spring Equinox Date (March 20/21) of that year

The New Moon day also occurs on that same Equinox date.

If a Solar Eclipse also occurs on that same Equinox date, it is considered a bonus.

WHEN this double event happens on the same day, it’s considered the RESET, or the starting point of the 19-Year Time Cycle! This event only happens ONCE every 19 years!

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THIS RARE EVENT HAPPENED?

On the Spring Equinox of 2015, notice the three almost simultaneous events:

March 20, Friday, at 11:36 was the New Moon Conjunction

March 20, Friday, at 11:46 was a Total Solar Eclipse

March 21, Saturday, at 00:45 was the Vernal (Spring) Equinox

NOTE: The difference between conjunction and equinox was a little over 12 hours.

Additional Surprising Features Around this Date:

As if to FRAME the start of this latest 19-Year Time Cycle in 2015 in our generation, such was preceded by two forerunner Blood Moons occurring on April 15, 2014 (eve of the First Day of Unleavened Bread), and also Blood Moon on October 8, 2014 (eve of the First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles).

Placing the start of this latest 19-Year Time Cycle of March 21, 2015, in the MIDDLE of the Time FRAME, another two Blood Moons occurred on April 4, 2015 (eve of the First Day of Unleavened Bread) and on September 27, 2015 (eve of the First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles).

This double year of double blood moon eclipses coincided or intersected with the Saros Cycle of Eclipses which normally happens only about every 18 years, but in this rare configuration, it happens only as a set of rare eclipses once in every 372 years.

As a side note, some Jewish authorities recognize and claim that the year 2015 was a Shemitah (rest after seven years) of Shemitahs (7 x 7) leading to the Jubilee (50 years). It also marks the 70th year after the Holocaust, the end of World War 2, the dropping of the first Atomic Bombs in Japan, and the founding of the United Nations Organization.

LET US COMPARE THIS SURPRISING DATA WITH THE OTHER COMING 19-YEAR TIME CYCLES:

YEAR 2053 (on the Spring Equinox date, 19 years later):

YEAR 2072 (on the Spring Equinox date, 19 years later):

March 19, Saturday, at 20:18 will be the Vernal (Spring) Equinox

March 19, Saturday, at 22:08 will be the Partial Solar Eclipse

March 19, Saturday, at 22:21 will be the New Moon Conjunction

NOTE: If we cycle backwards from the latest 2015 start of the 19-Year Time Cycle far enough, we eventually go back to the Year 1 A.D. (or C.E.). In Appendix 2 of this article below, I will show some significant events which happened in some of those starts of the 19-Year Time Cycles.

THEREFORE, IT IS THE HEAVENS WHICH DECLARE WHEN THE START OF THE 19-YEAR TIME CYCLES SHOULD BEGIN — not man or any of the traditional calendars of man.

ANALOGY OF OUR EARTHLY TIME CLOCKS

To determine the exact time, we need to consider the position of all the three hands in an analogue time device. Looking at only one hand gives us an erroneous or false time reading. That is the same analogy that has happened in our day, due to ignorance concerning how to reckon the correct times and seasons. Just looking at any of the hour, minute, or second-hand approaching 12:00 does not mean it is already 12 o’clock. In the same analogy, just looking at the new moon approaching the Spring Equinox date alone does not mean it is already Spring time, as clearly witnessed this year. We need to watch for the new moon that happens on or after the Spring Equinox date.

Thus, applying the clock analogy to our sun and moon cycles:

The Hourhand = the “Greater light” = the Sun’s cycle = the Spring Equinox. The completion of this cycle (“tekufah” in Hebrew) should be considered first and foremost as the priority.

The Minutehand = the “Lesser Light” = the New Moon cycle should never prevail (or overtake) the sun’s completion of its cycle (the greater light).

The Secondhand = the day doesn’t start anytime, but at sunset the day after the New Moon conjunction. Also, the flitting, sweeping time of the Eclipse of Sun and Moon’s alignment is considered as a bonus. But it should never prevail over the greater roles of the Sun and Moon.

As much as possible, all three hands should synchronize at the starting point before we begin to declare the official starting time (for example 12:00).

CONCLUSION

One of the most controversial topics nowadays has to do with the Sacred Calendar issue. And we are not asking anyone to just believe what is said here. Our challenge to any and all of our readers is to simply show a more credible phenomenon in the heavens involving the alignment of the earth, sun, and moon, which clearly and irrefutably shows that such event is the true start of the 19-Year Time Cycle.

For those with an open mind to hear and with the eyes to see God’s revelation at this end-time (as stated by YHWH to the prophet Daniel), let us be humbled and thankful that in His mercy, we have been given a glimpse as to where we could be in prophecy. Therefore, we can begin “trimming our lamps” and doing the Work given to us with more vigor, even as we see the day of our redemption approaching fast, considering present world conditions.

Let us also remember that at these end times, there will be two prevalent attitudes. One is the Laodicean attitude which is complacent, materially rich, self-content and self-righteous (have need of nothing regarding added spiritual knowledge) yet spiritually blind and naked. For failing to see their spiritual condition, they will suffer during the great tribulation (Revelation 3:14-21).

On the other hand, there will be a small, humble, but faithful group having the Philadelphian attitude. They constantly thirst for growth in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). These are promised protection from the Great Tribulation ahead because they are spiritually more knowledgeable, discerning, and prepared (Revelation 3:7-13).

To which group do you belong? Only you can answer that question.

Appendix 1

THE CORRECT PATTERN OF INTERCALARY YEARS

(God’s Sacred Years start and end on the New Moon day on or after the Spring Equinox [Years 1, 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, and 17 have 13 months, the rest have 12. The modern Hebrew Calendar (a.k.a the Calculated Rabbinical Calendar) follows a similar pattern: 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 19, but their 19-year time cycle is one year off and behind the true astronomical cycle.])

Year in Cycle

Roman Year

Number of Months

19

2014-2015

12 (end of previous cycle)

1

2015-2016

13

2

2016-2017

12

3

2017-2018

13

4

2018-2019

12

5

2019-2020

12

6

2020-2021

13

7

2021-2022

12

8

2022-2023

12

9

2023-2024

13

10

2024-2025

12

11

2025-2026

13

12

2026-2027

12

13

2027-2028

12

14

2028-2029

13

15

2029-2030

12

16

2030-2031

12

17

2031-2032

13

18

2032-2033

12

19

2033-2034

12

1

2034-2035

13 (start of next cycle)

Appendix 2

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS ON START OF CYCLE SINCE A.D. 1

Year (C.E./A.D.)

Cycle #

Significant Events

1

1

Start of our Christian Era (C.E.)

39

3

Caligula becomes Roman Consul; God's probable call of Paul (?)

58

4

Paul returns to Jerusalem after 19 years (?)

96

5

Emperor Domitian stabbed to death; Book of Revelation completed

115

7

Massive earthquake damage at Antioch

1521

82

Magellan arrives in the Philippines; introduces Christianity

1787

96

The U.S. Constitution was signed

1844

99

Call for annexation of Texas; acquisition of Oregon

1863

100

Plan of Abraham Lincoln to declare the emancipation of slaves

1882

101

Britain conquers Egypt; U.S. adopts Chinese Exclusion Act

1901

102

Queen Victoria dies; Edward VII succeeds; Theodore Roosevelt sworn-in

1920

103

League of Nations formed in Geneva, Switzerland

1939

104

Start of WW2 in Europe; Einstein writes FDR feasibility of atom bomb

1958

105

European Economic Community (EEC) formed; U.S. sends Explorer 1 into space

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